First South Eastern European Workshop on Trafficking for Labour Exploitation, October 2009

The first joint workshop of South Eastern European trade unions and NGOs on the theme of workplace action for trafficking and the protection of trafficked people took place on 13th-15th October 2009 in Bucharest, Romania.

The event was jointly organised by the International Trade Union Confederation/Pan-European Regional Council (ITUC-PERC) and Anti-Slavery International in the framework of a two-year joint initiative against trafficking for labour exploitation in Europe, supported by the European Commission.

The initiative is hoping to bring together NGOs and trade unions across Europe, to raise awareness, share good practice as well as to foster communication and development of an integrated strategy for workplace action on trafficking and the protection of trafficked people. The strategy will be applicable across Europe, will be carried forward by a group of NGOs and trade unions, and will continue working jointly to prevent and address trafficking and related issues.

The seminar in Bucharest focused on exchanging experiences in reducing forced labour and anti-trafficking actions, establishing networks between trade unions and NGOs in the region and looking at the development of common action plans and future cooperation. The workshop in addition provided an opportunity to brainstorm potential implications of the world economic crisis on trends of labour migration in the region.

Participants from Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Moldova, Armenia and Romania agreed to support organisations that work on these problems, to set up a database, to establish information networking, and prepare national action plans.

The workshop was led by ITUC/PERC and AntiSlavery International experts. The next subregional event as part of this project is planned to be held in Warsaw, Poland from 2nd-4th December 2009 and will encompass Central Eastern European organisations.
 
If you would like more information please contact Lucy Gregg ( l.gregg@antislavery.org )